Senior Investment Governance & First Line Risk Manager

Irish Life; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in London is seeking a Governance and Risk Manager to oversee investment governance and risk management. You will lead a team to ensure compliance with regulations and investment policies, providing expertise on risk frameworks. The ideal candidate has in-depth knowledge of asset management regulations, strong communication skills, and relevant qualifications. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous pension and bonus scheme

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Personal and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of asset management regulations.
• Understand investment principles and processes.
• Attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Investment Governance & Risk team.
• Ensure adherence to investment policies and regulatory obligations.
• Conduct regular compliance monitoring and oversight.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of regulations impacting asset management firms

Strong communication skills

Strong influencing skills

Strong interpersonal/networking skills

Proven track record at delivering reporting requirements

Self-motivated and well-organised

Education

Investment Management Certificate

Appropriate compliance qualification

Educated to Degree level

Job description

Location

London (City)

Our solutions

Each of our offerings has been built for a purpose, whether it sits at the core of a portfolio to provide long-term growth or to offer access into a specific global market. Our 40-year plus history as asset managers means we have the expertise to provide high quality multi-asset and risk-profiled solutions as well as attractive equity, fixed income, alternative funds, and real estate finance.

Our heritage

Our parent company, Great-West Lifeco, is a financially strong and stable global organisation, with total assets under administration of £1,800bn and approximately 33,250 employees worldwide, as at 31 December 2024. We also have more than 31 million customers worldwide. As the oldest Canadian life assurance company, Great-West Lifeco’s foundations trace back to 1847 – meaning we’ve been helping our customers plan for the future for more than 170 years.

Our team

Canada Life Asset Management has over 100 colleagues and includes more than 50 experienced investment professionals, with almost 20 years' average industry experience and ten years' average tenure at Canada Life Asset Management (CLAM). We are seeking a Governance and Risk Manager to join the Investments team within CLAM, based in the firm’s London office.

Job Purpose

Responsible for leading a team of investment governance and risk officers in providing technical regulatory, investment governance and 1st Line Risk expertise and guidance to Canada Life Asset Management. Ensuring compliance with applicable regulation, investment policy and client mandates by managing all 1st Line monitoring and oversight activity and reporting. Leading the team in providing the 1st line coordination and reporting of all elements of the ERM risk framework.

What will you be doing

1. To lead the Investment Governance & Risk team to drive team performance and optimise the team’s oversight capabilities.
2. Key attendee at Asset Management governance committees providing investment governance & risk reporting and technical expertise. Support the Chair of the Asset Management Risk Oversight Committee and Investment Management Committee in the collation and smooth running of these meetings.
3. Ensure adherence to investment policies and client mandates, including adherence to relevant regulatory obligations. This includes overseeing the production of regular investment policy adherence reporting for clients and reporting to relevant committees, as well as ensuring an effective pre-trade control environment is operated by the team.
4. Lead the 1st Line risk framework effectiveness for Asset Management ensuring it is operated effectively so that it supports management and the wider requirements of the CLUK business.
5. Ensure regular 1st Line compliance monitoring and oversight is conducted by the team to demonstrate compliance with applicable regulation and industry guidance. Present regular reports and MI to governance committee’s. Provide investment governance and 1st Line risk expertise and guidance on local and global strategic initiatives.

Experience Required

• In-depth knowledge of regulations impacting asset management firms
• Understand investment principles and processes
• Strong communication skills, demonstrating a clear and articulate standard of written and verbal communication in a complex environment, tailored for all levels of management. Attention to detail
• Strong influencing skills, with experience of engaging with senior management to get desired outcome
• Strong interpersonal/networking skills, with the ability to maintain a variety of relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Proven track record at delivering reporting requirements under tight time pressure
• Self-motivated, well-organised, pragmatic, and able to perform tasks independently

Qualifications

• Investment Management Certificate
• Appropriate compliance qualification (Diploma in Investment Compliance)
• Educated to Degree level (or relevant industry experience)

Benefits of working at Canada Life

We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that’s regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.

How we work at Canada Life

Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward.

We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That’s why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.

Diversity and inclusion

Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us. We are proud of the progress we’re making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus.

“At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all.” Nick Harding, Chief People Officer, Canada Life UK

We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. We’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for you.